HIVE

Ce qu'il fait

HIVE is the first collapsible helmet concept to include rotational protection (a critical safety feature in the top 31 performing bike helmets) without compromising on style.

Votre source d'inspiration

I’ve always HATED wearing my bike helmet. It's annoying to lug around, and riding with it makes me feel like a dork. I wasn't alone. According to the Department of Transportation, 4 out of 5 cyclists don’t wear their helmets either. But American infrastructure isn't built for cyclists. In fact, we’re 30 times more likely to experience a serious injury while riding than our European counterparts (Ryerson University). So, I set out to design the helmet that "helmet haters" might actually want to wear, and one that could also fit in a bag.

Comment ça marche

The modular polycarbonate shell disassembles for stacking, and the inner hexagon matrix folds down to 1/3 of its size, meaning you can comfortably stash your helmet in a backpack or work bag when you’re off the bike. The elastomer matrix, made of the same impact-absorbing elastomer used in some football helmets, also adds rotational protection: a critical safety feature in the top 31 performing bike helmets (Virginia Tech). Its material is also multi-impact, meaning it can be used in more than one accident. In theory, only the outer shell would need to be replaced after an accident, making it a sustainable and reusable option.

Processus de conception

I started by surveying 131 cyclists to understand why people weren’t wearing helmets. While convenience was a major frustration, urban cyclists were often unwilling to compromise on aesthetics. So instead of designing a foldable helmet and trying to make it look good, I flipped the process. Inspired by motorcycle helmets, I explored the helmet forms that people were already proud to wear. Then, I built in collapsibility after. But style alone doesn’t ensure safety. So, I reached out to Dr. Barry Miller at Virginia Tech’s helmet testing lab to understand what made a helmet safe. I learned that despite meeting the same certifications, helmets varied significantly in effectiveness. A huge factor was rotational protection, which helps reduce concussion severity. That led me to 720 Protections, whose flexible hexagon matrix offered both impact absorption and rotational protection, even outperforming traditional EPS foam helmets. Then I asked myself, "What if this technology were foldable?" After many rounds of prototyping, testing, and feedback from engineers and urban cyclists, I combined this technology with my aesthetic design to create HIVE.

En quoi est-il différent ?

As of July 2025, there are no collapsible bike helmets on the market that offer rotational protection. One startup, Newlane, plans to launch a MIPS-equipped collapsible helmet this September, but it overlooks a key factor: aesthetics. Thousand is another great case study. They've won over many "helmet haters" with their stylish urban design, but their best-selling model ranks in the bottom 5% for safety according to Virginia Tech’s helmet ratings. HIVE is different. It combines portability, essential safety features, and a design urban cyclists will actually want to wear.

Plans pour l'avenir

While I’ve loved bringing this concept to life, I’m a designer, not a startup founder. At this stage, I’m not looking to launch a company around HIVE, but I’m open to conversations around licensing the design or collaborating with a team experienced in bringing consumer safety products to market. While HIVE is based on technology that surpasses certification standards, it still needs further prototyping validation (like injection molding TPU and safety testing) that I don't currently have the resources to execute. I hope to partner with people who can properly validate the concept's safety and effectiveness.

Récompenses

"Best in Show" and "Best in Design Research and Strategy" (UIC's Year End Show)